For Immediate Release
OTTAWA – Yesterday, the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released a letter detailing how the Conservative government is breaking the law by refusing to provide basic information about the government’s spending cuts.
According to Vancouver Quadra MP Joyce Murray, the Conservative government is disrespecting the authority and responsibility of Parliament to represent the Canadian public and undermining Canada’s democracy and reputation. Liberals are demanding that the government comply with the law and immediately provide the PBO with information on the government’s spending cuts.
Liberal Leader Bob Rae noted that it’s the job of Members of Parliament to examine the government’s books and determine if Canadian taxpayers are getting value for their money. “We cannot do our job without timely access to the government’s financial information. The Office of the PBO was created to help provide us with that timely access,” he said.
“A functioning democracy requires freedom of information and respect for the rule of law,” said Liberal Finance critic Scott Brison. “By breaking the law and obstructing the work of the PBO, the Conservatives are, once again, testing Canadians to see what they can get away with.”
Last spring, the Conservative government was found in contempt of Parliament after refusing to comply with Mr. Brison’s request for financial information on the F-35s and crime legislation.
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For more information contact:
Jeff Guignard
Office of Joyce Murray
613-992-2430
613-793-6318
